TROY jazz vocal ensemble releases CD

Posted: Monday, 12 December 2011

TROY – Troy University's vocal jazz group, frequency, has released its new CD, "Fields of Gold."

The John M. Long School of Music, the school's student-led record label, Ilium Records, and frequency collaborated with internationally renowned composer and arranger Greg Jasperse to record the eight-song album, on sale for $12.95 on Ilium Record's website, iliumrecords.com. Jasperse produces music for the hit television series "Glee."

"This recording has taken over a year of preparation and planning," said Dr. Diane Orlofsky, a professor of music and the group's founder and artistic director. "I've been captivated by this very special vocal ensemble sound, and Greg Jasperse's signature sound was the direction that I knew frequency should be identified with – close harmonies, sensitive treatment of text and something that is uncommon to the vocal jazz arena – great sacred vocal jazz arrangements."

Dr. Orlofsky contacted Jasperse on Facebook, not really expecting a reply. To her surprise, he responded to her quickly, beginning a relationship that would bring him to TROY several times to work with students in the School and in the vocal ensemble. Orlofsky said Jasperse liked what he heard from the fledgling frequency and agreed to extend his collaboration to produce a new recording of his music.

"Greg gave frequency the gift of his time, his talent and his music," she said. "This project has been a wonderful collaboration between Mr. Jasperse, myself, executive producer Robert W. Smith, Ilium Records and the production team, Mr. Bob Bullock, our chief engineer, and the singers."

"I am so very proud of this musical product and I hope that the community will support the efforts of this wonderful vocal jazz group," Orlofsky added.

frequency will perform with the Troy University Jazz Band on Feb. 3 in Claudia Crosby Theater, and will be featured in a concert, "Live at the Emporium" at 7 p.m. in the Emporium on West Walnut Street on Feb. 7.

Representatives of LAMP High School in Montgomery and The Highlands School in Birmingham recently met with officials at the Confucius Institute at Troy University to sign an agreement forming Confucius Classroom extensions at each school. The new partnerships will make Chinese language and cultural educational opportunities available to local students. Pictured from left to right are: Dr. Iris Hong Xu, director of the Confucius Institute at TROY; Steven Frost of LAMP High School; Dr. Curt Porter, associate vice chancellor of international affairs; Kathryn Woodson Barr of the Highlands School; Dr. Earl Ingram, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs; Xiaofeng Chen, deputy director of the Confucius Institute and Dr. Mike Whitlock, associate vice chancellor for operations in TROY's Global Campus. (TROY Photo)